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From Your Close Friend, The Doula

From Your Close Friend, The Doula

Christine Jennings CD(DONA)
Doula Support

Congratulations! You're pregnant.

We're good friends. I love you dearly and I consider you one of the closest people in my life. I'm over the moon for you and your partner. I seriously love you guys.

Here's where it can get sticky.

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I'm a doula, but I may not be YOUR doula.

You've heard me describe how much I love my work and the passion I have for working with expectant families. You know what I do, how much I love it, and now you may be feeling an unspoken pressure to hire me.

Here is what I have learned in my years of experience - when families choose a doula, they choose the person who is exactly the right fit for this incredibly special time in their lives. And that may not be me.

I am not the doula for everyone. Just because we are close AND I do this work does not mean I am the best fit for you guys. Most importantly, I know this truth in my bones and would not be hurt if you were to choose someone else to support you during your transition into parenthood. I promise, I will not take it personally.

You deserve to have the exact support that you want and need.

However it looks, I want to see you and your partner supported and nurtured as you welcome your new baby.  My heart is overflowing for you both and I want this to be such a wonderful transition into parenthood for you.

If you want a doula but don't know where to start, I am happy to point you in the right direction. If you don't want a doula, that's fine too. I am here for you, whenever and however you need me. 

You've got this.

I support what YOU want. That is the foundational tenant of doula work.

You, as expectant parents, have an internal knowing about the way you'd like to be supported during this time. I respect and honour that knowing. I do not know better than you what you need.

PS If you WANT me to be your doula...

I would be delighted to support you. This time is about you, your partner, and your journey into parenthood. If you choose to invite me to be a part of that journey, I would love nothing more than to be there for you, in my professional capacity.

Pregnancy is a time of preparation, of figuring out what you want to do and how you want to do it, both for birth AND for parenting. The bottom line? It's about you, not me.

I will support you. However that looks.

Christine Jennings CD(DONA)
Doula Support
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Christine Jennings CD(DONA)

Hi! I'm Christine! My greatest privilege as a doula is witnessing your transformation into parenthood. It brings me such joy when you beam at me after your birth saying, "I DID IT!"

I have a deep-knowing about the impact I will have on you and your new family. It’s beautiful to me to wait in trust and patience for the moment all the preparation, anticipation, and instinct clicks into place for you. I cherish the relationship I will build with you during our time together.

As your trusted resource, I love providing the answers to your questions or connecting you with others who can help. The rooted connections I have built in the birthing community will serve you well - and those connections only continue to grow!

It is important to me to cultivate a respectful team atmosphere with your care providers, whether prenatally, on your birthing day, or well into postpartum. I enjoy sharing with care providers how effective and powerful doula support can be.

During longer labours, I offer up my energy and strength to keep our team together. If there is one thing I know, making sure you feel well-rested and supported helps you make decisions you feel confident about, as well as manage your labor. There is nothing more love-filled than watching you and your partner step into your parent-power.

In my doula practice, I value and prioritize your bodily autonomy and informed consent.

"Once I was helping women, I fell in love with women. Like that first lady, when she looked into my eyes...you can't help but love someone who is working that hard and putting out great, pure effort to have a baby.” — Midwife Pamela Hunt.

To be honest, if we work together, I will fall a little bit in love with you. I would be honoured to be invited into your birthing room and to hold space for you.

Christine is a co-founder and former owner of Five Elements Birth Services. You can now find her at Femme In Nest

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